Daily Devotional - August 4, 2025

 

8/4/25  

Good morning, Friends, 

1 Timothy 2:8 - [8] Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

God doesn’t just want us to  pray—He wants us to pray with pure hearts.

Paul’s instruction to Timothy is simple but also challenging. Wherever God’s people gather, let prayer be the reflection of lives identified by holiness, peace, and unity. Hands being lifted in prayer is a position of surrender and worship, but it's supposed to reflect an inner reality of unstained hands, reconciled hearts, and lives that pursue peace over disputes, feuds and chaos.

This verse challenges us because sometimes we try to pray while still holding onto stuff like grudges, arguments, or things we haven’t made right. It’s like we’re raising our hands to God, but deep down we’re still mad at someone or carrying things we haven’t dealt with. 

This verse should make us stop and think "Am I trying to talk to God while my heart is still in conflict with others? Is my prayer being blocked because I haven’t let go of the anger or made peace yet?"

Friends, God doesn’t just want us to say the right things in prayer; He wants us to "be" the right kind of people...holy and peaceable.

So before we raise our voices in prayer today, let’s check our pride, search our hearts, forgive where needed, and pursue peace with those around us (a peace that doesn't compromise our faith). Holy hands come from hearts that are being made holy.

Prayer check: Is there anyone I need to forgive? Is there anger I need to release? Let your hands be a reflection of a heart totally surrendered to God.

Now that's what Paul is talkin' bout!

Yo, go fill up your water bottle, we bout to go on a LONG walk through the Scriptures today! #WalkbyFaithandObedience

Maranatha (The Lord is coming)  

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)

- Grace & Peace

Pastor Trent